Tuesday, April 5

Butterfly Slipstream

Trying out some new things, inspired by my Creative Expedition class with May Flaum this past month. and Finnabair my long time art rock star! Of course, I had to take it into a steampunk direction, and am entering my tag into Sandee and amelie's Steampunk Challenges where "anything goes"! I just love how creative that DT is with loads of steampunk inspiration! Well, spring is in the air over at A Vintage Journey, so I am entering my tag in that challenge also, since I can't wait for spring! And, at Anything But Cute, the challenge #12 is all about Earth Day and planet Earth, so my butterfly is fluttering over that way too! I was inspired by the butterfly, the vibrant green on the bird's head, and the lovely green fields on the mood board.

I am fascinated with the idea of butterflies flying thousands of miles each year, following their migration paths using some kind of inner compass. How do they know how to do this and return to the same summer and winter grounds?

Perhaps they have a tiny clockwork compass to guide them??

I started by adhering all kinds of random buttons on my tag, then had to add in gears and cogs of course, and some of Finnabair's new art stones - fun product! Lots of great texture, and then the real fun begins! Time to get messy!!

Started layering the colors on to the tag, and began with the distress paints over my gesso, and then added the golds and metals - oh yes! I do love my new Liquid Metal Color Bursts! They are really cool and I need to explore them more.

Is it any wonder my tag is green? It is my favorite color, but also, I really can't wait for spring to come and watch everything turn green and bloom and grow - then the butterflies will return too.

So yes, I am imagining thousands of butterflies getting ready to head north. Tiny clockwork compasses give the heading, and the slipstream is gearing up for the flight of the butterflies, well oiled, the levers are cranking up and soon the butterflies will follow the clockwork path to their destination. I think it's kind of like the Milky Way that we can see on some clear nights - we know it's there, even when it is not visible to us.

I hope the slipstream flows your way and brings the beautiful butterflies this season!

Oh Maura! You've done it again and made me gasp in delight! Wonderful story to think about how the butterflies know where to fly. I love the addition of the tiny compass to the butterflies body. Your elements and tidbits are awesome sauce and the colors are gorgeous! Spring is definitely on your mind and captured perfectly in this design. Wowzers! And thank you for the sweet comment about the DT, right back at ya dearie!

Thanks for joining us at SanDee&Amelie's Steampunk challenge and thanks for joining our "Earth Day" challenge at Anything But Cute! Hugz to you muffin! ~Niki DT

I just love the idea of the butterflies having a clock-work compass Maura and you have expressed this so very well in your beautiful tag. The green is so lush and the texture you created is wonderful! Thank you so much for joining in our Earth Day challenge at Anything But Cute.

those liquid metals really give a stunning effect to your beautiful steampunk tag! I love how much depth you have achieved and how highly textural your tag is! So beautiful!Thank you so much for sharing it with us at SanDee&amelie's Steampunk Challenges!

Wonderful steampunk tag with the butterfly as your focal point. Love the background colour palette and the charm hanging off the side of the word band. Thanks for joining us at Anything But Cute.Hugs!Cec